Ben Preece, Journalist

It’s a neat glance further into the mind of a truly remarkable songwriter and a rewarding one at that.

“Will we come to Australia?... There is a 99 percent chance we’ll get down there, as soon as we figure the kids thing out.”

"I was fully expecting to spend the money to bring this band in and have it not work, but it was all fantastic. That was one of those trigger-happy decisions that happened really well on that record."

Coexist is stunning, compelling in delivery, simple and beautiful.

"Seeing that lineup [for Harvest] felt like Livid Festival all over again, Beck, Cake and us – it’s going to be quite the party!"

“I am a massive wanker... I love Boney M! You know what I think it is – people in Australia take themselves way too seriously and it’s way too boring."

"The birthing of Deep Heat, conceptually at least, came out of my realisation that people had managed to pigeonhole me as a serious, earnest singer/songwriter, which is fair enough considering the last record that I made."

INXS – a band that needs no introduction around the world, let alone to Australians – are back, road-testing another new singer and some new material. Lead guitarist brother Tim Farriss tells Ben Preece just what it is that keeps them going despite it all.

"He’s all, like, 'I’m going to take two bands on the road and I’ll decide on the day who I play with on the night.’ That’s amazing – who does that?” Lanie Lane talks Jack White and songwriting.

Drummer Darren King, in particular, is an animal, sitting stage-right, head down and absolutely going insane for the duration.

The psychedelic-loving nerds have produced what could be the perfect album for fun in the sun. It fires from the get go, brimming with bravado and bombastic beats that spills everything from glammed up drums to power riffs and infectious-as-hell melodies.

James Walsh might not be a name synonymous with Australian audiences but you’re bound to be familiar with his work as frontman of British band Starsailor. Now he's out on his own and on his way down under.